Ashes: pictures and reaction as Australia take 2-0 lead against England

Image 1 of 7

England’s chances of retaining the Ashes look bleak after Australia won the second Test to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Needing to score 178 runs on the fifth and final day in Adelaide, England lost Chris Woakes and captain Joe Root early to scupper any chance of completing a memorable fightback.

Six wickets were lost in the first session today with Australia bowler Mitchell Starc starring with the ball and taking 5-88. Australia bowled England out for 233 to secure the victory by 120 runs.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Root’s side only need to draw the series to retain the Ashes, but Australia are heavy favourites to win back the urn and can do so with victory in the third Test match in Perth, starting on 14 December.

What the captains said after the Test in Adelaide

England skipper Root, speaking to BBC Test Match Special: “We came to the ground expecting. We were right in the game but losing early wickets hampered our chances. The way we went about it yesterday was exceptional and that has to be the benchmark going forward. We have shown in the first two Tests that we can outperform Australia. The belief is there. We’re still massively in this series.”

Australia captain Steve Smith, speaking to BT Sport: “It’s phenomenal to be 2-0 up in the series. England fought really hard with the ball and last night. I was a little bit nervous. Sometimes it was just about trying to have a bit of faith and belief. If you get enough balls in the right areas, you’re going to get your rewards.”

How cricket fans reacted on Twitter:

England had high hopes…

Poms are crushed.

Piers Morgan was a target for Twitter users this morning.

Good areas, Shane. Warney has a pop back at Piers.

Not a great start to the day for fans waking up in the UK.

See you in Perth.